“You’re always welcome,” Dena said, then wrinkled her nose. “I tried to get Camryn to join us, but she didn’t want to leave the twins.”

Howard Troll, the owner, walked over to their table. “What’ll it be, ladies?”

“A coquito for me,” Paisley said.

Reggie grimaced. “Too much coconut. Howard, I’ve been dreaming about a Santa’s Sleigh for weeks.”

“What’s that?” Shaye asked. “The drinks here are all so exotic.”

Dena sighed. “A Santa’s Sleigh is brandy, amaretto, eggnog and ice cream.”

“Practically a meal,” Reggie said with a laugh. “Try one, Shaye. If you don’t like it, I’ll drink yours.”

Shaye smiled. “Sounds delicious.”

Howard looked at Dena, who shrugged apologetically. “A virgin strawberry daiquiri, please.”

“Virgin?” Howard sounded outraged.

“I’m pregnant.”

Howard, closer to sixty than fifty, stared at her. “You’re not married.”

“Yes, I know.”

He clicked his tongue. “You kids today. Virgin it is.” He turned away, then back. “You want a nice turkey sandwich on whole wheat with a side salad?”

Paisley’s blue eyes widened. “But Howard, you hate to cook.”

“We gotta take care of her.”

“So you went from disapproving to nurturing in eight seconds?”

He grinned. “I know how to move with the times.”

“I’m fine, Howard,” Dena told him. “But thank you.”

When he left, Paisley stretched out her hands toward Reggie. “How are you? Is it okay being back? Are you nervous or having flashbacks?”

Reggie thought about her day. “Except for walking Belle, I haven’t left the house until tonight. I’m good. Not nervous and no flashbacks.”

Paisley gave Shaye a quick recap of Reggie’s engagement and subsequent dumping last year. As her friend spoke, Reggie mentally poked at her heart for sadness. The biggest emotion she could find was regret for time wasted mourning a relationship that obviously hadn’t been meant to be.

“I feel horrible,” Paisley admitted. “I hosted the engagement party.”

“No guilt allowed,” Reggie told her. “You were being a good friend. No one knew Jake was going to be such a jerk. We’re done, I really am over him, and I’ve found my way home. I vote we drop the topic forever.”

“We should,” Dena said firmly. “So, what’s new?”

“I’m busy up at the resort,” Paisley said. “Lots of holiday parties.” She smiled. “Your parents’ wedding. I’m looking forward to that.”

“We’ll try to keep things easy,” Reggie told her.

Paisley looked at Dena. “Does she know?”

Reggie immediately went on alert, not sure how many more “surprises” she could deal with.

“I told her yesterday,” Dena said, then smiled at Shaye. “This is just such an info dump for you, but there’s this guy.”

“There’s always a guy,” Shaye said with a laugh.

“Reggie dated him in high school.”

Howard returned with the drinks and a small cheese and fruit plate.